Inlet Pressure Compensation for a Valve System

ABSTRACT

An inlet pressure valve regulation system to provide a regulated fluid flow includes a housing, first piston assembly, regulating valve, and inlet pressure conduit. The housing has an inlet at an inlet end which receives a pressurized fluid and an outlet at an outlet end which provides the regulated fluid flow. The piston assembly is arranged in the housing and has a first cavity and a control orifice to fluidly connect the inlet to the first cavity. The first piston assembly is configured to regulate the fluid flow. The regulating valve has a first valve chamber, a second valve chamber fluidly connected to a vent, a floating valve seat disposed between the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber, and a valve component. The floating valve seat includes a diaphragm and a seat having a passageway to fluidly connect the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of the U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/467,429, filed Mar. 23, 2017, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety; which application claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/312,185 filed on Mar. 23, 2016, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes as iffully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure generally relates to an apparatus and method forcontrolling a valve system used to regulate fluid flow. Specifically,the disclosure relates to an inlet pressure compensated valve systemcontrol to improve pressure regulation of a valve.

Related Art

Pressure regulating valves have applications in a wide variety of areasthat use pressurized fluids, for example, to drive pneumatic systems.These systems typically require one or more pressure regulating valvespartially controlled through electronic systems to permit operationremotely. One application for these pressure regulating valves are inaircraft systems that utilize a turbine engine.

Because these pressure regulating valves are used in critical functions,it is important that the valves operate consistently within a desiredregulation band. However, in some instances the regulating valves do notfully compensate for the various fluid pressures exerted on theregulating valve. Moreover, compensating regulators have been used inthe past by using a belleville washer or similar solutions. However,these constructions tend to cause misalignment and leakage. Leakage inthis area will cause the valve to fail.

Accordingly, there is a need for a pressure regulating valve system thatis configured to more completely compensate for external pressures andthat is more robust.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, an inlet pressure valve regulation system to provide aregulated fluid flow includes a housing having an inlet at an inlet endwhich receives a pressurized fluid and an outlet at an outlet end whichprovides the regulated fluid flow, a piston assembly arranged in thehousing having a first cavity, a control orifice to fluidly connect theinlet to the first cavity, the first piston assembly configured toregulate a fluid flow, a regulating valve having a first valve chamber,a second valve chamber fluidly connected to a vent, a floating valveseat disposed between the first valve chamber and the second valvechamber, and a valve component, a passageway being in cooperativealignment with the valve component, and an inlet pressure conduit tofluidly connect the first cavity to the first valve chamber, where anincrease in pressure at the inlet is conveyed via the control orifice,the first valve chamber, an inlet pressure, and the first valve chamberto urge the floating valve seat to generate a seal with the valvecomponent which increases pressure within the first piston assembly toregulate the fluid flow.

In another aspect, an inlet pressure valve regulation system to providea regulated fluid flow includes a housing having an inlet at an inletend which receives a pressurized fluid and an outlet at an outlet endwhich provides the regulated fluid flow, a piston assembly arranged inthe housing having a first cavity, a control orifice to fluidly connectthe inlet to the first cavity, the first piston assembly configured toregulate a fluid flow, a regulating valve having a first valve chamber,a second valve chamber fluidly connected to a vent, a floating valveseat disposed between the first valve chamber and the second valvechamber, and a valve component, a passageway being in cooperativealignment with the valve component, and an inlet pressure conduit tofluidly connect the first cavity to the first valve chamber, wherein anincrease in pressure at the inlet is conveyed via the control orifice,the first valve chamber, an inlet pressure, and the first valve chambergenerates a seal with the valve component to regulate the fluid flow.

In this respect, before explaining at least one aspect of the disclosurein detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited inits application to the details of construction and to the arrangementsof the components set forth in the following description or illustratedin the drawings. The disclosure is capable of aspects in addition tothose described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the disclosure. It is important, therefore,that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructionsinsofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain aspects of thedisclosure in order that the detailed description thereof herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects ofthe disclosure that will be described below and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a turbine engine schematic with bleed air that issiphoned from the turbine engine in accordance with an aspect of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a valve system with an inlet pressure valveregulation open in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates the valve system with the inlet pressure valveregulation closed in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates the valve system with the inlet pressure valveregulation closed in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a regulating valve with the inlet pressure valveregulation open in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates the regulating valve with the inlet pressure valveregulation closed in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a seat of a floating seat assembly of the regulatingvalve in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a regulated pressure profile of a prior art valvesystem in response to inlet pressure in comparison to a regulation bandrequirement.

FIG. 9 illustrates a regulated pressure profile of the valve system withthe inlet pressure valve regulation in accordance with an aspect of thedisclosure and in response to inlet pressure in comparison to aregulation band requirement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Pressure regulating valves have applications in a wide variety of areasthat use pressurized fluids to drive pneumatic systems, lubricationsystems, fuel systems, cooling systems, hydraulic systems, and the like.These systems typically require one or more pressure regulating valvescontrolled partially through electronic systems to permit operationremotely.

One application for these pressure regulating valves are in aircraftsystems that utilize turbine engines. For example, due to the coldconditions during flight, aircraft often use bleed air from the turbineengines in order to perform de-icing of the exterior portions of theaircraft such as engine cowls, wings, and the like. This bleed air canalso be used to maintain cabin pressurization, de-ice windows, maintaintemperature of the cabin and luggage compartments, assist in thefunction of ejector seats, provide air for blown flaps, provide air forwindshield blow mechanisms, and the like. For example, the de-icing ofthe engine cowls typically requires pressure regulating valves toregulate the bleed air to compensate for variations in throttlesettings, icing conditions and the like in order to allow the system tobe controlled automatically or from the aircraft cockpit. These valvesneed to be reliable in performance, low in weight, and compact in size.It is also preferable that these valves are self-powered by using thepressure generated within the system itself for supplying the energy toactuate the valve.

Reference in this specification to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “otheraspects,” “one or more aspects,” or the like means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theaspect is included in at least one aspect of the disclosure. Theappearance of, for example, “in one aspect” in various places in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect, norare separate or alternative aspects mutually exclusive of other aspects.Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by someaspects and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are describedwhich may be requirements for some aspects but not other aspects.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 1 that may include a turbine engine 2 andfluid connections where bleed air from the turbine engine 2 is siphonedoff and utilized for other purposes. The turbine engine 2 may be aturbojet engine, a turboprop engine, a turboshaft engine, a propfanengine, or another airbreathing jet engine known in the art. The turbineengine 2 may include a burner 10 and a turbine 12. As air enters theturbine engine 2 at the fan 8, the air travels through a compressor 14where the air becomes heated and pressurized to, for example,temperatures around 1250° F. and pressures around 350 psi. A portion ofthe air that passes through the compressor 14 may be siphoned off at anoutlet 32 and/or an outlet 34.

The turbine engine 2 may be in fluid connection with a first check valve6 along a conduit 36. Subsequently, there may be a precooler 4 to cool aportion of the bleed air with air from the compressor 14 and/or air fromthe fan 8 provided by a conduit 38. Subsequently, the bleed air enters avalve system 100, which regulates the flow of bleed air based onpressure and directs it for other purposes such as de-icing the enginecowl, the wings, or the like at outlet 16 and/or outlet 18. The bleedair may also be provided through outlet 20. This bleed air can also beused to maintain cabin pressurization, de-ice windows, maintaintemperature of the cabin and luggage compartments, assist in thefunction of ejector seats, blow rainwater off the windshield, blow theflaps, and the like.

Although the valve system 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as beingdownstream of a precooler 4. In some applications, the precooler 4 maynot be necessary and the valve system 100 may be directly connected tothe turbine engine 2 to siphon air pressurized by the compressor 14.

The system 1 may further include an engine starter 42 and starter valve24, a high-pressure shutoff valve 26, a precooler exhaust 28, and a fanair valve 22. The system 1 may further include a controller implementedas a control module 40.

The control module 40 may sense the temperature from a temperaturesensor 30, may sense pressure in numerous areas of the valve system 100,may sense temperature in numerous areas of the valve system 100, maysense positions of components of the valve system 100, may control thefan air valve 22, and may control the high-pressure shutoff valve 26.The control module 40 may further control the valve system 100. Thecontrol module 40 may be implemented with dedicated hardware as definedherein and control system components and/or receive sensor inputs withcontrol lines 44. The control module 40 may sense when a valve of thevalve system 100 has failed and further control a second valve of thevalve system 100. However, it should be noted that the valve system 100may have applications in a wide variety of areas that use pressurizedfluids to drive pneumatic systems, lubrication systems, fuel systems,cooling systems, hydraulic systems, and the like.

To solve this regulation band issue, a new pilot seat/poppet concept wasdeveloped. Originally a pilot poppet moved towards its seat to restrictthe flow and increase the control pressure. The disclosure contemplatesa seat that can move towards the poppet proportional to the inletpressure and in doing so keeping a regulation band flat. The valvefunctions by using downstream pressure as feedback on bellows that maythen act on a pilot stage poppet to control the filling and dumping ofair pressure supplied by the inlet pressure through an orifice (controlpressure) behind a piston. As inlet pressure increases so does thedownstream pressure. The downstream pressure is sensed by the bellowswhich extends and closes the control poppet. The poppet restricts theflow from the seat and increases the control pressure behind the piston.The piston closes until a new regulation is reached for a given inletpressure. The construction of the valve and associated process isdescribed in greater detail below.

FIG. 2 illustrates the valve system 100 with an inlet pressure valveregulation system 50 open in accordance with an aspect of thedisclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the valve system 100 may include ahousing 132 having an inlet 110 and an outlet 126. The outlet 126 maysubsequently connect to the outlet 16 and/or the outlet 18 shown inFIG. 1. Towards the inlet 110 end of the housing 132, there is a firstpiston assembly 139.

In one aspect, the valve system 100 may also include a second pistonassembly (not shown) towards the outlet 126 end of the valve system 100.Although the inlet pressure valve regulation system 50 is shown toregulate the first piston assembly 139, in various examples, one or bothof the first piston assembly 139 and the second piston assembly (notshown) may include the inlet pressure valve regulation system 50.Details of the second piston assembly are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/042,644 filed on Feb. 12, 2016 incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The first piston assembly 139 may move longitudinally along a centerline of the housing 132 to regulate airflow through the inlet 110 inresponse to inlet pressure such as the upstream pressure and/ordownstream pressure. To regulate the first piston assembly 139 inresponse to inlet pressure, the inlet pressure valve regulation system50 may include a piston actuator 52, an inlet pressure conduit 54, and aregulating valve 56. In one aspect, the regulating valve 56 may be aspring loaded closed, solenoid controlled, pilot poppet operated,pneumatically actuated, piston modulating, regulating, and shutoffvalve.

The piston actuator 52 may include any suitable actuator such as apneumatic actuator, spring, or the like. The regulating valve 56 mayinclude any suitable valve such as, a poppet valve, a needle valve, avalve component, and the like. In a particular example, the regulatingvalve 56 is a poppet style valve. The regulating valve 56 may include afloating seat assembly 58, a valve member 60 and one or more vents 62.The first piston assembly 139 may have a first cavity 140, which is influid connection with the regulating valve 56 via the inlet pressureconduit 54. The first piston assembly 139 may also include a controlorifice 130, which provides pneumatic connection between the inlet 110and the first cavity 140 of the first piston assembly 139.

FIG. 3 illustrates the valve system with the inlet pressure valveregulation closed in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. Theregulating valve 56 may be actuated by a solenoid 90. The solenoid 90may contact a lever 72 and urge the displacement of the valve member 60toward the floating seat assembly 58 (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). Thefloating seat assembly 58 may include a seat 64 and a diaphragm 66. Theseat 64 and the valve member 60 are in cooperative alignment. Inresponse to the seat 64 forming a seal with the valve member 60, accessto the vents 62 is closed or reduced and pressure within the firstcavity 140 is increased.

This increased pressure in the first cavity 140 in combination with anurging of the piston actuator 52 urges a first face 136 of a piston 68toward the inlet 110 which closes or reduces flow through the inlet 110as shown in FIG. 3. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 2, a reduction in inletpressure acts to draw the seat 64 away from the valve member 60 whichallows more air to flow through the vents 62 and this allows the firstface 136 to move away from the inlet 110 creating a passageway 142. Thebleed air will be able to flow from through inlet 110 through thepassageway 142 towards the outlet 126 and/or second piston assembly (notshown) if utilized.

FIG. 4 illustrates the valve system with the inlet pressure valveregulation closed in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. Inresponse to an increased inlet pressure at the inlet 110, an increasedamount of air enters the control orifice 130, is conveyed through theinlet pressure conduit 54, and urges the displacement of the floatingseat assembly 58 toward the valve member 60. The seat 64 and the valvemember 60 are in cooperative alignment. In response to the seat 64forming a seal with the valve member 60, access to the vents 62 isclosed or reduced and pressure within the first cavity 140 is increased.

This increased pressure in the first cavity 140 in combination with anurging of the piston actuator 52 urges a first face 136 of a piston 68toward the inlet 110 which closes or reduces flow through the inlet 110as shown in FIG. 4. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 2, a reduction in inletpressure acts to draw the seat 64 away from the valve member 60 whichallows more air to flow through the vents 62 and this allows the firstface 136 to move away from the inlet 110 creating a passageway 142. Thebleed air will be able to flow from through inlet 110 through thepassageway 142 towards the outlet 126 and/or second piston assembly (notshown) if utilized.

To regulate the first piston assembly 139 in response to downstreampressure, the first piston assembly 139 may include a regulator bellows70 configured to urge the valve member 60 toward and away from the seat64. In a particular example, the regulator bellows 70 may include alinkage and actuate the lever 72 although in other examples, theregulator bellows 70 may be configured to urge the valve member 60directly. In response to an increase in downstream pressure, theregulator bellows 70 may be configured to urge the valve member 60toward the seat 64. As already described, stopping or reducing flowthrough the seat 64 increases pressure within the first cavity 140 whichacts to urge the first face 136 of the piston 68 toward the inlet 110which closes or reduces flow through the inlet 110 as shown in FIG. 4.Conversely, as shown in FIG. 2, a reduction in downstream pressure actsto constrict the regulator bellows 70 and urges the valve member 60 awayfrom the seat 64. This opening of the regulating valve 56 allows moreair to flow through the vents 62 and this allows the first face 136 tomove away from the inlet 110 which allows a greater flow through theinlet 110.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the regulating valve 56 suitable for use withthe inlet pressure valve regulation system 50 in an open and closedconfiguration, respectively. Although the regulating valve 56 isdescribed with reference to the valve system 100 shown in FIG. 2, theregulating valve 56 may be utilized in any suitable device or system.Examples of suitable devices and systems include heating and airconditioning system, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, lubricationsystems, fuel systems, cooling systems, and the like and the like. Thevalve member 60 may be urged towards or away from the diaphragm 66 witha spring 92. The diaphragm 66 may be formed of any type of material. Inone aspect, the diaphragm 66 may be formed of a metallic material. Inone aspect, the diaphragm 66 may be made out of Inconel X750. In oneaspect, the diaphragm 66 may comprise Inconel 718. In one aspect, thediaphragm 66 may comprise steel. In one aspect, the diaphragm 66 maycomprise 440C steel. In one aspect the seat 64 may be formed of ametallic material. In one aspect the seat 64 may be formed of Inconel625. In one aspect the seat 64 may be formed of Inconel 718. In oneaspect the seat 64 may be formed of steel. In one aspect the seat 64 maybe formed of 440C steel. In one aspect the seat 64 may be press fit intothe diaphragm 66. In one aspect the seat 64 may be welded to thediaphragm 66. In one aspect the seat 64 may be mechanically fastened tothe diaphragm 66. In one aspect the seat 64 may be mechanically fastenedto the diaphragm 66 with a threaded fastener surface. In one aspect theseat 64 may be mechanically fastened to the diaphragm 66 together withadhesive such as Loctite. In one aspect the seat 64 may be mechanicallyfastened to the diaphragm 66 and subjected to a peening process.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the open conformation, a flow of air or othersuitable fluid entering a first valve chamber 74 via the inlet pressureconduit 54 may pass through a passageway 76 in the seat 64, into asecond valve chamber 78, and out the vents 62. In response to thepressure within the first valve chamber 74 exceeding the pressure withinthe second valve chamber 78, the floating seat assembly 58 is urgedtoward the valve member 60. As the seat 64 approaches the valve member60, flow through the passageway 76 is further restricted which increasesthe delta pressure between the first valve chamber 74 and the secondvalve chamber 78 which urges the floating seat assembly 58 stillfurther. In response to the valve member 60 sealing the passageway 76 asshown in FIG. 6, flow from the first valve chamber 74 to the secondvalve chamber 78 is stopped or reduced.

FIG. 7 illustrates a seat of a floating seat assembly of the regulatingvalve in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. In this regard, inone aspect the seat 64 may be configured as a multi-component structure.As illustrated in FIG. 7, the seat 64 may include an insert seat 202 anda plug 204.

In one aspect, the insert seat 202 may comprise Inconel 625. In otheraspects, the insert seat 202 may comprise a metallic material, InconelX750, Inconel 718, steel, 440C steel, or the like. In one aspect theinsert seat 202 may be press fit into the diaphragm 66. In one aspectthe insert seat 202 may be welded to the diaphragm 66. In one aspect theinsert seat 202 may be mechanically fastened to the diaphragm 66. In oneaspect the insert seat 202 may be mechanically fastened to the diaphragm66 with a threaded fastener surface. In one aspect the insert seat 202may be mechanically fastened to the diaphragm 66 together with adhesivesuch as Loctite. In one aspect the insert seat 202 may be mechanicallyfastened to the diaphragm 66 and subjected to a peening process.

In one aspect, the plug 204 may comprise 440C steel. In other aspects,the plug 204 may comprise a metallic material, Inconel X750, Inconel718, steel, Inconel 625, or the like.

In one aspect the plug 204 may be placed into the insert seat 202utilizing a press/swage process. In one aspect the plug 204 may be pressfit into the insert seat 202. In one aspect a wall 206 of the insertseat 202 may be staked over the plug 204.

In one aspect the plug 204 may be welded to the insert seat 202. In oneaspect the plug 204 may be mechanically fastened to the insert seat 202.In one aspect the plug 204 may be mechanically fastened to the insertseat 202 with a threaded fastener surface. In one aspect the plug 204may be mechanically fastened to the insert seat 202 together withadhesive such as Loctite. In one aspect the plug 204 may be mechanicallyfastened to the insert seat 202 and subjected to a peening process.

In one aspect, once the seat 64 is assembled with the insert seat 202and the plug 204, the passageway 76 may be formed by drillingtherethrough.

FIG. 7 illustrates a regulated pressure profile of a prior art valvesystem in response to inlet pressure in comparison to a regulation bandrequirement. As shown in FIG. 8, an observed pressure profile 80 of theprior art valve system deviates from a pressure band requirement 82 forthe prior art valve system. Such deviations may cause increased wear,increase costs, and undesirable operation associated with the system 1shown in FIG. 1. The deviation may be due to hysteresis in theregulating valve 56 and/or other components.

FIG. 9 illustrates a regulated pressure profile of the valve system 100with the inlet pressure valve regulation system 50 in accordance with anaspect of the disclosure and in response to inlet pressure in comparisonto a regulation band requirement. As shown in FIG. 9, an observedpressure profile 84 of the valve system 100 with the inlet pressurevalve regulation system 50 is regulated to stay within a pressure bandrequirement 86 for the valve system 100 with the inlet pressure valveregulation system 50. This improved regulation in comparison to priorart systems may reduce costs associated with maintaining the system 1shown in FIG. 1 and provide desired operation.

Accordingly, the disclosure has set forth a pressure regulating valvesystem that operates more consistently within a desired regulation band.Moreover, the pressure regulating valve system is configured to morecompletely compensate for external pressures and is more robust. Thedisclosed valves are reliable in performance, low in weight, and compactin size. These valves may be self-powered by using the pressuregenerated within the system itself for supplying the energy to actuatethe valve.

Further in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation with dedicatedhardware implementations including, but not limited to, processors,microprocessors, computers, PCs, semiconductors, application specificintegrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic arrays, cloud computingdevices, and other hardware devices constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The many features and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from thedetailed specification, and, thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the disclosure which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, and,accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto that fall within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inlet pressure valve regulation system toprovide a regulated fluid flow, comprising: a housing having an inlet atan inlet end configured to receive a pressurized fluid and an outlet atan outlet end configured to provide the regulated fluid flow; a pistonassembly arranged in the housing having a first cavity, a controlorifice configured to fluidly connect the inlet to the first cavity, thepiston assembly configured to regulate a fluid flow; a regulating valvehaving a first valve chamber, a second valve chamber fluidly connectedto a vent, a floating valve seat disposed between the first valvechamber and the second valve chamber, and a valve component; and aninlet pressure conduit configured to fluidly connect the first cavity tothe first valve chamber, wherein an increase in pressure at the inlet isconveyed via the control orifice, the first valve chamber, the inletpressure conduit, and the second valve chamber to position the floatingvalve seat to generate a seal with the valve component to vary pressurewithin the piston assembly to regulate the fluid flow.
 2. The inletpressure valve regulation system according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a downstream regulation system having a regulator in fluidcommunication with the fluid flow downstream of the piston assembly, theregulator being configured to urge the valve component toward thefloating valve seat in response to the fluid flow downstream of thepiston assembly.
 3. The inlet pressure valve regulation system accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a downstream regulation system having aregulator bellows in fluid communication with the fluid flow downstreamof the piston assembly, the regulator bellows being configured to urgethe valve component toward the floating valve seat in response to thefluid flow downstream of the piston assembly.
 4. The inlet pressurevalve regulation system according to claim 1, further comprising: alever configured to urge the valve component toward the floating valveseat; and a downstream regulation system having a regulator bellows influid communication with the fluid flow downstream of the pistonassembly, the regulator bellows being configured to contact the leverand urge the valve component toward the floating valve seat in responseto the fluid flow downstream of the piston assembly.
 5. The inletpressure valve regulation system according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a solenoid system being configured to urge the valvecomponent toward the floating valve seat in response to a controlsystem.
 6. The inlet pressure valve regulation system according to claim1, further comprising: a downstream regulation system having a regulatorbellows in fluid communication with the fluid flow downstream of thepiston assembly, the regulator bellows being configured to urge thevalve component toward the floating valve seat in response to the fluidflow downstream of the piston assembly; and a solenoid system beingconfigured to urge the valve component toward the floating valve seat inresponse to a control system.
 7. The inlet pressure valve regulationsystem according to claim 1, wherein the piston assembly is configuredto regulate the fluid flow by moving to close the inlet and furtherconfigured to regulate the fluid flow by moving to open the inlet. 8.The inlet pressure valve regulation system according to claim 1, whereinthe floating valve seat includes a diaphragm and the floating valve seathaving a passageway to fluidly connect the first valve chamber and thesecond valve chamber.
 9. The inlet pressure valve regulation systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a piston actuator to urge thepiston assembly to close.
 10. The inlet pressure valve regulation systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a downstream regulation systemhaving a regulator bellows in fluid communication with the fluid flowdownstream of the piston assembly, the regulator bellows beingconfigured to expand and urge the valve component toward the floatingvalve seat in response to the fluid flow downstream of the pistonassembly.
 11. An inlet pressure valve regulation system to provide aregulated fluid flow, comprising: a housing having an inlet at an inletend configured to receive a pressurized fluid and an outlet at an outletend configured to provide the regulated fluid flow; a piston assemblyarranged in the housing having a first cavity, a control orifice tofluidly connect the inlet to the first cavity, the piston assemblyconfigured to regulate a fluid flow; a regulating valve having a firstvalve chamber, a second valve chamber fluidly connected to a vent, afloating valve seat disposed between the first valve chamber and thesecond valve chamber, and a valve component; and an inlet pressureconduit configured to fluidly connect the first cavity to the firstvalve chamber, wherein an increase in pressure at the inlet is conveyedvia the control orifice, the first valve chamber, the inlet pressureconduit, and the second valve chamber to position the floating valveseat of the valve component to regulate the fluid flow.
 12. The inletpressure valve regulation system according to claim 11, furthercomprising: a downstream regulation system having a regulator in fluidcommunication with the fluid flow downstream of the piston assembly, theregulator being configured to urge the valve component toward thefloating valve seat in response to the fluid flow downstream of thepiston assembly.
 13. The inlet pressure valve regulation systemaccording to claim 11, further comprising: a downstream regulationsystem having a regulator bellows in fluid communication with the fluidflow downstream of the piston assembly, the regulator bellows beingconfigured to urge the valve component toward the floating valve seat inresponse to the fluid flow downstream of the piston assembly.
 14. Theinlet pressure valve regulation system according to claim 11, furthercomprising: a lever configured to urge the valve component toward thefloating valve seat; and a downstream regulation system having aregulator bellows in fluid communication with the fluid flow downstreamof the piston assembly, the regulator bellows being configured tocontact the lever and urge the valve component toward the floating valveseat in response to the fluid flow downstream of the piston assembly.15. The inlet pressure valve regulation system according to claim 11,further comprising: a solenoid system being configured to urge the valvecomponent toward the floating valve seat in response to a controlsystem.
 16. The inlet pressure valve regulation system according toclaim 11, further comprising: a downstream regulation system having aregulator bellows in fluid communication with the fluid flow downstreamof the piston assembly, the regulator bellows being configured to urgethe valve component toward the floating valve seat in response to thefluid flow downstream of the piston assembly; and a solenoid systembeing configured to urge the valve component toward the floating valveseat in response to a control system.
 17. The inlet pressure valveregulation system according to claim 11, wherein the piston assembly isconfigured to regulate the fluid flow by moving to close the inlet andfurther configured to regulate the fluid flow by moving to open theinlet.
 18. The inlet pressure valve regulation system according to claim11, wherein the floating valve seat includes a diaphragm and thefloating valve seat having a passageway to fluidly connect the firstvalve chamber and the second valve chamber.
 19. The inlet pressure valveregulation system according to claim 11, further comprising: a pistonactuator to urge the piston assembly to close.
 20. The inlet pressurevalve regulation system according to claim 11, further comprising: adownstream regulation system having a regulator bellows in fluidcommunication with the fluid flow downstream of the piston assembly, theregulator bellows being configured to expand and urge the valvecomponent toward the floating valve seat in response to the fluid flowdownstream of the piston assembly.